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Basic Wine Differences

Every wine produced, even if from the same varietal, has its own distinctive flavors. This uniqueness can be traced back to its roots. It all starts in the vineyard with a choice of grape variety, clone, rootstock, and the vineyard site. The degree of slope, drainage, overall weather conditions, and the intensity of sunlight that the vines will receive, greatly contribute to the overall development of the grape. While a long growing season helps to produce complex and rich tastes in the berry, the way in which the vineyard is farmed will also make a difference in the development and taste profile of the grape. Vine spacing, trellis systems, irrigation regimes, and pruning will all have a direct effect on the yield and the quality of fruit that will later become the wine.

As the fruit is harvested, the vintner will make decisions about the production which will, again, create differences in taste. For example, he may decide to go straight to the fermentor with whole clusters, rather than doing the customary process of crushing and destemming the grapes before fermenting. This decision will make for a more extracted wine, with more color, tannins, and fruit flavors. The yeast selections the vintner chooses will also have a profound influence on the aroma of the wine, as will the type and age of the barrels that the wine goes into. Each step in the process of making wine, from the planting of the vines to the bottling, will involve many choices. Each one will serve to shape and style a finished wine that is like no other.